The area of Ioannina is an area full of historical events, figures and situations, directly connected with the destinies of Hellenism.
The founding of Ioannina derives from the Byzantine period and was built in an opportune geographical location, next to the homonymous lake, in a small peninsula comprised of two rocky points, where the castle stands today.

The institution of guilds played a significant role in the financial life of the Ottoman Empire. It was namely the organization of the technicians of every specialty into a union with specific rules, restrictions and rights. It is an institution that paralleled the one that existed in the Byzantine Empire and was maintained until its fall.

The silver-goldsmith craft moved within this historical framework in Ioannina and the greater area. With the term greater area we mean those centers within which the specific craft developed and especially in Metsovo, Kallarytes and Syrrako. The area of Ioannina presents a century old tradition in the processing of metals and in the silver-goldsmith craft.

However, despite the lack of written sources of information, the discovery of beautifully crafted objects that are attributed to Ipirus are a testament to the existence of workshops and technicians, whose works are classified as the most representative samples of ancient Greek art. A characteristic example is....

From the Byzantine period, when the city of Ioannina is created, there are also no direct written sources on the silver-goldsmith craft in the area. However, indirect written testaments and objects that originate from that period indicate the existence of technicians and respective works.

The period of Turkish domination begins in the area in 1430 with the voluntary surrender of the city of Ioannina to Sinan Pasha. The concessions received for this act of theirs ensure the unhindered continuity of life in the castle. However, the destruction and plunder that followed the revolution of Dionysis the Skylosophos in 1611 deprived us of valuable information regarding art in this period.

With the liberation of Ioannina and the regularization of life within the Greek State, a serious effort is made to keep and develop the silver-goldsmith craft in Ioannina. The motivating mind of this effort was the Prelate of Ioannina Spyridon Vlachos and his aid Aggeliki Chatzimichali. As such, in 1930....

Despite the progress of technology and the trend for industrialized and mass production, the art of silversmiths in Ioannina is based on traditional forms and techniques, while only certain tools have changed, now more modern, which however do not detract from any of the aesthetics of a handcrafted work.